"The possibilities are endless. Vans can be used as libraries of which there is a national shortage. It can be used as mobile clinics," he added.

"Because we lose 14 percent of our palay harvest to lack of storage facilities, then maybe these vans can be donated to farmers so they can have a place to store their palay and other crops that is safe from the elements and pests like rats," he said.

The senator said the vans can also be made into temporary houses for victims of the Zamboanga siege and super typhoon "Yolanda."

"Di hamak na mas mabuti naman yan kesa trapal. And the vans, because they're durable, can be sent to other disaster affected areas when the homes of those occupying it are already finished."

Container congestion at the two ports in Manila peaked in June this year when an estimated 90,000 unclaimed or overstaying vans were reported to be waiting in the yards to be processed.

"I am not saying nor am I hinting that we buy thousands of these vans. What I am saying is that we convert those already abandoned and seized, and study the possibility of purchasing more but at a heavily-discounted price," Recto said.